The Bishop of Meath at the time played an interesting role in Mayo's victory over the Royal County in the 1951 All-Ireland SFC final.
This was a much different time than the liberal climate we live in today and the Catholic church didn't want members of the clergy playing gaelic games due to the supposed violent nature of the sport.
The late Fr Peter Quinn from Kilglass - who passed away earlier this month - was one of the stars of the Mayo football team and, according to The Meath Chronicle, he took an interesting route when it came to getting permission to line out for the Connacht champions.
Fr Peter Quinn 6th from left front row and the powerful Mayo team of 1951
As he was studying at Dalgan Park, Navan at the time, he chose to approach the Bishop of Meath, Dr John Kyne, rather than the local bishop in Ballina. Peter figured he had a better chance of getting the green light behind enemy lines as "our two finals were against counties that came into his diocese, so he couldn't very well say 'no, I won't allow you to play against Louth or Meath'.
And so it came to pass that Fr Peter Quinn starred on the Mayo side that beat Louth and Meath in successive All-Ireland finals in 1950 and '51. For the latter final, he went under the name of Peter Quinlan, lest he be reported to the bishop back home.
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